Author's Notes: I know, I know! So regular updates! What has the world come to?
Anyway, this chapter's better than the previous two…I can't really say why, but I liked it more.
Note to everyone: I know Sakura's WAY OOC, but really guys if you're putting half of your attention to the story you'll understand all I'm doing has its purpose! I know it's confusing for the moment, but as I've said before, it'll all come together in the end.

A special notice to Stargirl-rebels: I'm so sorry! I know how exasperating this fic can get, but just hold on a bit more! I can't really answer all your questions without giving the story away, but I think you'll find out soon enough. I know Sakura remembered at first and now she doesn't, but it isn't incoherence in my story…as I've already said, I've got big plans for all those details…Anyways, thanks for your support!

And thank all of you people! Your reviews mean more than you could ever imagine!

"I'll say goodbye for the two of us: When the truth breaks the silence"

Part Fifteen: "Breakdown"

By cherry blossom

Tomoyo and Eriol were comfortably seated in the Business section of the plane, enjoying each other's company. The atmosphere was happy and relaxed, and Tomoyo couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"I had forgotten how beautiful you look when you smile," Eriol said suddenly, brushing a strand of dark hair out of Tomoyo's eyes.

"I almost thought I would get the chance to smile again…" she replied softly. Despite the newest Sakura issue, the raven haired beauty couldn't help but feeling an immense burden had been lifted from her heart. At last they had found Sakura…no matter what happened now, she knew they would be able to work it out together.

Eriol, expertly interpreting her words, nodded in return.

"I know how you feel…like you can finally breathe again…" he said, his eyes still fixed on hers. Tomoyo's smile widened. He could read her so well…he knew her better than she knew herself.

"By the way, good one with the plane tickets," she said. Eriol gave her his most innocent look.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Well, a plane just happened to be boarding at the right time, we just happened to get two pairs of seats in different sections…" replied Tomoyo.

"Aren't we lucky!" said Eriol with a silly smile on his face.

Tomoyo raised an eyebrow. "Eriol…"

He gave in, laughing. "Well, I don't hear any complaints!" he said.

Yep, she could read him quite well too.

"Oh, right about that! I've been looking forward to spending some quality time with you…alone…" she said in a low voice.

"Well, technically we're not alone. See, in an airplane full of pe-" he began, but abruptly interrupted himself when he felt her hand on his thigh. He stared at Tomoyo, but she gazed innocently at him in return.

Suddenly, she got up and began walking down the aisle. After a few steps, she turned around to face the wide eyed man that still hadn't removed his sight from her. She winked at him, a suggestive smile on her face and motioned him to follow her.

One tiny movement of her index finger in his direction was enough to get Eriol on his feet. He clumsily got up and followed her steps. The only problem was that when he reached the end of the aisle she was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, a door next to him opened and someone grabbed him by the arm, pulling him in what appeared to be…

A toilet.

Tomoyo closed the door behind him and locked it.

"Alone enough for you, Mr. Hiragiizawa?"

On another part of the plane, the situation between another young couple was not as heated. In fact, Sakura and Syaoran remained in cold, dead silence. She was seated next to the window, and hadn't removed her sight from the sky since they had taken off. He, on the other hand, kept glancing at her timidly, wanting to say something but not daring to.

Sakura could feel his look as if it was burning her back, but she couldn't find the strength to talk to him. Why couldn't he give her some space?

You've been alone too long…

Sakura suddenly held her hand to her head, as she felt pain momentarily flash through it. What the hell was that? Oh please! Not another headache, she thought.

As if on cue, Syaoran immediately spoke.

"Is something wrong Sakura? Does your head hurt?" he asked worriedly.

Oh great! As if a migraine weren't enough, now I'll have to deal with him, she thought tiredly. No sooner she had expressed that thought, her headache got worse.

"Sakura? Why aren't you answering me? Is someth-"

"I'm fine" she replied quickly, trying to end the conversation. She now held both hands to her head.

"Are you sure? I'm sure I can get you an aspirin or something!"
"No, thanks," she said uninterestedly. God, she hated saying the same thing twice.

"Well…if you really don't want anything…" he said, unable to keep the sadness out of his voice.

"Please Syaoran, will you shut up for a while? I'm trying to rest a bit here!" she said, trying to be as calm as possible. But she was beginning to feel suffocated by his excessive attention. His worried attitude was driving her crazy!

Syaoran seemed a bit taken aback at her answer.

"I-I'm sorry…I'll be quiet," he said softly, his voice quavering. Sakura turned her gaze to him, and momentarily forgot about her headache when she took a good look at the Chinese boy.

Syaoran looked sick and somewhat diminished. His aura felt weak and his lower lip was trembling slightly. His eyes…oh his eyes reflected pain as Sakura had never seen before! He looked so helpless and miserable…and discouraged somehow…
Sakura immediately felt a pang of remorse for treating him so indifferently. She knew he was acting like this only because he cared so much…She wanted to apologize, to tell him she cared, to hold him until the last trail of pain had vanished from his eyes…
But, somehow, she found herself unable to do so. The headache she had forgotten about returned in that very moment, so intensified it almost brought tears to her eyes.

Almost.

She winced in pain and took another look at Syaoran. Theirs eyes met for a second, but then Syaoran turned his gaze away sadly and didn't speak for the rest of the flight.

Sakura closed her eyes and rested her head on the seat. Worrying about Syaoran was making everything worse, so she decided she would deal with it later.

I'm sorry, Syaoran…, she pleaded silently. I can't think about this right now…all I have to do is let go and relax, and the headache will go away soon…

Desperate, Sakura forced herself to forget about everything and simply concentrate on feeling better. She just wanted this horrible moment to be over.

So when she felt herself falling into the depths of unconsciousness, she welcomed the darkness with open arms.

Darkness that oddly resembled a feeling in her heart.

"We would like to inform all passengers we will be landing in Tomoeda, Japan in a few minutes. Please fasten your seat-belts and remain seated until the plane has stopped moving completely. Thank you," announced a pleasant, feminine voice. Syaoran sighed, relieved. He couldn't wait to get out of this plane.

Turning his look towards the sleeping girl beside him, he felt a tug in his heart. He knew Eriol had meant well by tricking them into sitting together, but he had spent most of the flight wishing he hadn't. When Sakura went missing, he felt like he had reached the maximum level of grief…but that was nothing compared towards what he had just gone through. Fastening his seat-belt, he replayed in his mind the scene that had taken place just a while ago.

Another defeat for him, that could sum it up. He was trying…damn it, he was trying so hard! He had purposefully not mentioned a word about the incident that was worrying him, but when Sakura suddenly winced he couldn't help but ask her if she was all right. An aspiring! Anything! Anything we can get you, miss! God, he felt like her servant, waiting on hand and foot! It was worthless, anyhow, because her voice clearly indicated she couldn't care less about his efforts. Now, he was prepared to swallow his pride, and accept her cold way around him because he knew it was all his fault anyway…but he wasn't prepared to the look she gave him…

Those eyes! That expression! God would have never created emerald orbs of such beauty if he had known they could shine with so immense hatred! Despise he saw in his beloved's eyes…she looked at him as if he were an annoying insect buzzing around her. An insect she was yearning to swat. The horrible truth came down onto Syaoran…
She can't stand being around me!

Just as he was processing the thought, he thought he caught a glimpse of the Sakura he knew. Did he dare hope?

But when that glimpse faded, he knew he didn't. He felt like saying something…anything, anything at all! But as he continued to study her face, he realized it was worthless…Everything was worthless now.

As the plane landed, Syaoran made a decision. Sakura owned his heart. Whatever she decided to do with it was her call. And if she didn't want it, he'd make it easier for her.

Don't worry my love…I won't bother you again, he silently told her.

He would give her what she needed…and if that didn't include his love…well, so be it.

Really.

As if summoned by magic (and Tomoyo was sure it was) a limo was waiting for them when they came out of the airport. The day was gray and rainy, and Tomoyo was relieved they wouldn't have to search for a taxi in such a weather. The four of them stepped inside the car, and Eriol gave the driver Sakura's address. Her house wasn't very far from the airport, but the short ride took place in the coldest of silences.

When they reached Sakura's house, she smiled at all of them and thanked them for the ride.

"See you around, I guess…" she said and walked to her house. Her step was quick and confident, and she didn't look back once.

The gang continued to watch her front door even after she had closed it. For a whole minute, nobody spoke. Then Tomoyo, wanting to break the horrible silence, nudged Eriol.

"We should keep going," she whispered. Eriol nodded.

"Syaoran's place is next, right?" he said, and was about to give the driver the address, when Syaoran put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't bother," he said softly. "I'd rather walk home." And he opened the door.

"But Syaoran," Tomoyo said as he got out and closed the door. "It's raining! You'll catch a cold!"
Syaoran gave her a sad smile through the window. "I'll be fine," he stated, and started walking away.

Tomoyo looked at Eriol sadly.

"I don't think he will."

Eriol and Tomoyo headed to her place. They entered the luxurious mansion, and went to the fireplace. Eriol magically lit it up, and they sat right in front of it. Eriol could feel the tension in their silence, and sighed.

"I wish we were back on that plane," he declared suddenly. Tomoyo couldn't help but give him a little smile.

"Oh, you'd wish all right…" she responded, and the more she thought about it, the funnier his comment seemed. She allowed herself a little laugh.

"See, my lady? You shouldn't stop smiling…" said Eriol. He loved it when she laughed…even if it was at his expense.

"Oh, Eriol…I can't help it," she replied, getting serious again. "You were in the limo with us…you know what I mean! I knew it was bad…but this bad?"

"Yes…The tension between them was almost unbearable…" he agreed. Tomoyo nodded sadly.

"I fear for her Eriol, I can't say I'm undisturbed by her behavior…But I fear for him even more…" she confessed, her voice filled with sorrow. Eriol put a comforting arm around her, pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Now, Tomoyo, Syaoran's a strong man. I'm sure he understands and will be able to cope with the situation…" Eriol said soothingly. Tomoyo pulled away a little, so as to face him directly. Fear dominated her eyes.
"Eriol, you weren't here when she went missing…" she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "I swear he's not as strong as he seems…at least not when it comes to Sakura…"

"But she's here now, Tomoyo, and I'm sur-" he began, but was interrupted by the ring of a phone near them. He watched the girl he loved pick up the phone and answer.

"Moshi moshi," she spoke. "Yes…yes, of course you can! ...I am, but don't worry about it. Yes, I want you to come right now…Ok, bye." She hung up.

"That was Syaoran…he sounded really upset," she told him worriedly. Eriol for once didn't know what to say.

"So…he's coming now, right?" he asked, trying to keep up with the conversation.

Tomoyo nodded. "I think I'll go change clothes before he comes…I can still feel that drizzle upon me," she said, giving him a small smile. "There's some of your stuff upstairs…why don't you go and change too?"

Eriol nodded, and they took the stairs hand in hand. When they had reached the top, they headed on different directions.

"We'll meet downstairs, ok?" he said. Tomoyo nodded.

"See you in a minute," she said, not wanting to let go his hand.

"Ok" he said, letting go unwillingly. "I'll be missing you!" he declared, gaining a true Tomoyo smile.

"Go change, silly…" she responded and headed towards her room.

Once she was in comfortable, dry clothes, Tomoyo headed downstairs. She was about to sit on the couch in front of the fireplace, noticing Eriol hadn't come down yet, when she heard a knock on the door. She frowned. Could it be Syaoran? If he was, he had gotten there way too fast. She shrugged, and went to open the door. But she wasn't prepared for what she saw.

If Syaoran had looked terrible before, it was nothing compared to his appearance now. He was completely soaked, probably due to walking in the rain, and out of breath. He had dark circles under his eyes, which had lost all of that shiny fire they usually had. Tomoyo shivered, wondering why she hadn't noticed he looked so terrible before. Guilt struck her. Maybe I was too busy playing around with Eriol to notice he was like this…

"Oh, god, come in!" she said quickly, closing the door behind him as he entered. She led him to the fireplace, shuddering involuntarily as she touched his hand. His skin was so cold!

"How did you get here so fast?" she asked, since it was the first thing that came into her mind.

"I ran…I ran really fast," replied Syaoran. His voice was thin and scratchy. Tomoyo noticed he was shivering.

"You shouldn't do that in such a weather! You'll get really sick…can I get you some dry clothes or something? A cup of tea?" she asked both worried and angry at him for doing this to himself.

"N-no I'm fine…" stammered Syaoran. His lower lip was trembling slightly, and he was breathing heavily. Tomoyo looked him in the eye, a silent plea in her look. Tell me…! But she could have never predicted what happened next.

As lighting suddenly lit up the sky, Syaoran broke down. He began crying desperately, unlike Tomoyo had ever seen him do before. He fell down on his knees, sobbing hysterically, covering his face with his hands.

"I can't take it anymore…! When she looks at me…I can't…!" he cried, murmuring incoherent words. Tomoyo immediately kneeled and held him in her arms. She could feel her own tears mixed with his. Syaoran cried bitterly into her shoulder, shaking all over, unable to stop. Tomoyo tried to soothe him, but soon she was crying pretty much like him.

"Oh, Syaoran…" she cried. "I'm so sorry…so sorry…" Her voice got caught in her throat and she didn't say another word. Oblivious to everything but the man she was holding, she didn't notice Eriol was watching the entire scene from the stairs.

Only when he had seen Syaoran cry like that, Eriol fully understood what Tomoyo had told him. He had never seen anyone, much less Syaoran, break down so completely…He knew how the Chinese man took pride in keeping his cool under all situations, and how he could shield himself completely to other people. Although love had softened him a bit, he was naturally reserved about his feelings. Even if smiling and laughing were not uncommon in him anymore, Eriol had never known of him to cry. But right now, he was doing it so intensely it didn't leave room for shame of any kind.

And if Syaoran had left his pride aside so utterly, things were much worse than Eriol could have ever imagined.